FBI investigates Burbank police, Mayor says department in 'turmoil'

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A lawsuit filed last year by a group of Burbank police officers claims a culture of racial, gender and sexual orientation discrimination persists at the department. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting a wide-ranging investigation into possible excessive use of force by Burbank cops. via Flickr

The FBI has opened a civil rights investigation into the Burbank Police Department.

Burbank Mayor Gary Bric says the probe is one of several into allegations of excessive use of force by officers.

"We were contacted by the FBI to do an investigation - an independent investigation over and above what the city was doing and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. We've worked with them, we've cooperated with them. Obviously there's some turmoil within the department. That's why the city went out and we brought in our investigator and attorney to probe and find out what's going on."

The Los Angeles Times reports that the FBI is focusing on 12 current or former Burbank police officers.

The investigation coincides with officer lawsuits that allege racial discrimination and retaliation within the department.